A GENDER-BASED violence storyline on SABC1’s Uzalohas made Nkanyiso Makhanya the target of abuse.
The actor plays Njeza who beats up Nosipho Xulu, played by Nompilo Maphumulo.
He told Daily Sun he is now being harassed by people who don’t understand he’s just playing a role.
“When fans meet me, they think I’m Njeza. They forget I’m Nkanyiso in real life,” he said.
Nkanyiso said fans, mostly men, angrily confronted him and told him never to beat Nosipho up again.
“I just calmly explain that Njeza is the character I am portraying.
“The person they are speaking to is Nkanyiso. Some understand and some don’t,” he said.
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Nkanyiso said although he feared someone would end up moering up, there were two positive things about the situation.
“The fact that I’m confronted by men most of the time shows not all men are abusive.
“There are those who hate abuse and are willing to fight those who engage in gender-based violence,” he said.
“The second thing is I’m now sure I play this character excellently.
“Fans feel what I do in front of the camera and it gets on their nerves.”
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In the show, Njeza beats Nosipho up and then blames his actions on his upbringing as he grew up seeing his father beating up his mum.
“After he apologises, Nosipho forgives him.
“After trying a number of things to stop beating her, including prayers to cast away his demons, he pretends he has changed but ends up doing it again,” said Nkanyiso.
What’ going to happen next to Njeza is anyone’s guess, but we hope it’s jail.
